The Magnum Independence Cup will crown a new winner after defending champions Bent Street crashed out, losing to arch-rival Sparta Boss 17-18, in an epic semi-final clash at the National Park tarmac, Thomas Lands on Saturday.
The match, which was witnessed by a mammoth crowd, can only be described as a seminal moment for the format as both teams displayed tremendous quality, while igniting various emotions from their respective fandoms.
Sparta Boss was led by Ryan Hackett, the scorer of 10 goals. He netted in the third, fourth, 11th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 27th, 29th, 31st, and 44th minute.
Vital assistance was provided by Jermin Junior who recorded five goals in the 12th, 16th,
20th, 22nd and 49th minute.
Adding a double was Eusi Phillips in the sixth and 36th minute while Kelsey Benjamin netted in the 17th minute.
For Bent Street, Trayon Bobb was the main threat with eight conversions. He netted in the ninth, 18th, 28th, 30th, 37th, 38th, 39th, and 41st minute while Pernell Schultz provided the perfect support with four goals in the 19th, 19th, 20th and 40th minute.
Captain Daniel Wilson tallied a double in the 35th, and 39th minute while the trio of Sheldon Profitt, Jermaine Scott, and Clive Nobrega scored in the fifth, 13th, and 48th minute apiece.
With the win, Sparta Boss earned a date against Back Circle in the final on May 21st at the same venue.
Back Circle defeated Gold is Money 5-2 in the second semi-final engagement. Rising star Jermaine Beckles amassed a brace in the 13th, and 26th minute, while Cecil Jackman, Adrian Aaron, and David George added goals in the 12th, 14th, and 29th minute correspondingly.
For the losers, Darren Benjamin and Deon Alfred etched their names on the scorer’s sheet in the 19th, and 24th minute respectively. The losing semi-finalists will now face-off in the third place playoff.
The winner of the tournament will receive $700,000, and the championship accolade, whilst the runner-up will pocket $400,000 and the corresponding trophy. The third and fourth place finishers will pocket $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.
In the earlier Plate Section, North East La Penitence dismantled Showstoppers 13-0. Lennox Cort crafted five goals in the sixth, seventh, 13th, 20th and 21st minute, while Akil Plass registered a helmet-trick in the fifth, 14th, 23rd, and 26th minute. Ravin Naughton added a hat-trick in the 27th, 18th, and 30th minute, while Junior Jordan scored in the12th minute.
Conversely, Future Stars overcame Melanie 7-6. Seon Cummings netted twice in the fourth and 14th minute, whilst Jamal Cozier scored in the fifth, and 17th minute, and Carl Griffith bagged a double in the seventh, and 25th minute. Adding a goal was Rondel Bowman in the13th minute.
For the losers, William Europe fashioned a hat-trick in the 11th, 24th and 26th minute, while Teon Stewart found the back of the net twice in the 12th and 30th minute. Captain Ryan Seales etched his name on the scorer’s sheet in the 16th minute. The winner of the Plate Section will receive $40,000.
The other sponsors of the event are MVP Sport, Nigel Hind Financial Services, Andrews Supermarket, Bold Expressions Barbershop, Fireside Grill ‘N’ Chill, Star Party Rentals, and Lucozade.
Complete Results
Semi-final
Game-1
Gold is Money-2 vs Back Circle-5
Back Circle Scorers
Jermaine Beckles-13th, and 26th
Cecil Jackman-12th
Adrian Aaron-14th
David George-29th
Gold is Money Scorers
Darren Benjamin-19th
Deon Alfred-24th
Game-2
Bent Street-17 vs Sparta Boss-18
Sparta Scorers
Ryan Hackett-3rd, 4th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 27th, 29th, 31st, and 44th
Jermin Junior-12th, 16th, 20th, 22nd and 49th
Eusi Phillips-6th and 36th
Kelsey Benjamin-17th
Bent Scorers
Trayon Bobb-9th, 18th, 28th, 30th, 37th, 38th, 39th, and 41st
Pernell Schultz-19th, 19th, 20th and 40th
Daniel Wilson-35th, and 39th
Sheldon Profitt-5thJermaine Scott-13th
Clive Nobrega-48th
Plate Section
Game-1
North East La Penitence-13 vs Showstoppers-0
Lennox Cort-6th, 7th, 13th, 20th and 21st
Akil Plass-5th, 14th, 23rd, and 26th
Ravin Naughton-27th, 18th, and 30th
Junior Jordan-12th
Game-2
Melanie-6 vs Future Stars-7
Future Scorers
Seon Cummings-4th, and 14th
Jamal Cozier-5th, and 17th
Carl Griffith-7th, and 25th
Rondel Bowman-13th
Melanie Scorers
William Europe-11th, 24th and 26th
Teon Stewart-12th and 30th
Ryan Seales-16th
